There’s many correlations that can be drawn between Japan’s keirin racers and the samurai’s code of Bushidō — the way of the warrior. Essentially, Keirin racers are trained in the art of racing for sport, but they are constantly faced with defeat and rejection, which they must accept with honour. As well as their minds…

If you look closely at the Nagasawa head badge, there’s an Italian flag alongside the Japanese flag. Yoshiaki Nagasawa has a strong connection with the Italian bicycle frame building industry, beginning his career at Sante Pogliaghi’s workshop before starting a six-year internship with Ugo De Rosa. A return to Japan brought his experience to the…